Cherokee Nation Revokes African-Americans’ Tribal Citizenship

On Monday the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court decided to terminate the tribal citizenship of nearly 3,000 Black descendants of freedmen–former slaves who had been owned by Cherokees.

The ruling comes several months after a district court granted equal tribal citizenship rights to descendants.

Monday’s 4-1 decision, overturned the district courts ruling, citing that the judge did not have the right to overturn an 1866 Cherokee constitutional amendment.

The attorney representing freedmen in their case against the Cherokee Nation said Tuesday that he was shocked the tribe’s Supreme Court ruled against the freedmen so close to the special election to pick a new chief, according to the Oklahoman.